Would you like to volunteer for the event? We are looking for traffic control volunteers who can assist in keeping the lines of cars going and helping our neighbors get to the right recycling station. Sign up here on the volunteer web page.

On California Ave in the Junction – Pride Weekend June 29th and 30th

Show your pride by adopting a rainbow flag to fly Pride weekend. Support love for all by adopting a 3′ x 5′ rainbow flag for Pride! For the first time in Junction history we’ll be proudly flying 60 rainbow flags all along California Ave!

It’s an exciting and supportive project and we want you to be a part of the party.

May 9 update – And just like that, all of the rainbow flags have been ADOPTED! Thank you to everyone who adopted a flag! Watch for the rainbows lining California Ave June 29th and 30th.

2nd Annual PAWrade before the Grand PArade!

Saturday, July 20th

10:00 AM to 11:30 AM

Calling all pups and their families. It’s time to register here for the 2nd Annual Junction PAWrade! FREE! With trophies for the best in four categories including Most Colorful, Most Creative, Best Dog and Owner Combo and Best Dog and Kid Combo (12 and under). July 20th before the Rotary Grand Parade. Meet at California Ave SW and SW Genesee (4400 California Ave SW).

Get a group of people together and walk, it’s a fun way to socialize your dogs. Do you own a dog service? Get your clients together! You can include a group or business name on the registration form.

You can register in advance by completing this form, or register the day of the event.

It’s the first ever West Seattle .5k. The West Seattle .5k is a beer run in the West Seattle Junction designed to push you to the limits of physical human endurance. (jk)

The .5k IS guaranteed to provide almost zero exercise but you’ll instead taste some of the best beers from the Pacific Northwest. At each hydration station, located in some of your favorite West Seattle bars, you’ll enjoy robust tastings from 10 different beers along with snacks, beer trivia questions and prizes. This is the race for physical underachievers who have wanted to do a run, but really didn’t want to.

.5k shirt

About the ‘run’:

Take in neighborhood views around the Junction as you lay down 880 yards (.5k) of pure physical determination. This route is run on the wide pavement around the Junction, minimal elevation (zero) with two pedestrian crossings on California Ave. You’ll stop at set hydration stations (inside bars) powering up electrolytes (beer) while carbing up (snacks) for the next grueling (not) leg of the run (next bar). The course is not timed, and walkers, runners and beer-lovers of all abilities are welcome.

Packet pick up in the hallway of The Beer Junction starts at 12 Noon on race day. Start time is 1 PM – the race ends at 5 PM. Race is limited to 400 participants.

You can register as an individual or as a team.

The .5k too much for you? No worries – you can donate straight from your couch! Join the Beer Drinkers Couch Fundraiser here, you’ll help raise funds for the Junction without actually moving. It’s a win-win! All donations support free community programming and events in the Junction.

Donate $10.00 to $20.00 and we’ll send you a .5k sticker.

Donate $20.01 or over and we’ll send you a .5k mason jar AND a .5k sticker.

This survey of 2105 area residents/shoppers took place between March 1 and March 11, 2019. The questions were designed by 501 Commons consultants in partnership the West Seattle Junction Association (WSJA.)

The survey was administered through a partnership with the West Seattle Blog, West Seattle Herald, the Junction newsletters, and multiple social media channels.

Respondent Profile

The majority of the respondents:

Have lived in the area for over 10 years:

26% between 10.5 and 20 years, and

31% over 20 years (see Figure 1).

Visit WSJ at varying frequencies:

29% visit only 1-5 times a month;

34% 6-10 times;

25% 11-20 times (Figure 2.)

It is Important to remember that this profile doesn’t necessarily match all West Seattle residents; those that took the time to complete the survey are probably more apt to visit the Junction and be interested in it.

Figure 1: Years lived in the Area Figure 2: Usual Number of Visits per Month

Main Reason for Visit

When asked to choose from a list of main reason to visit the Junction:

“The atmosphere / friendliness / small town feel” (30%) and “It’s close by / on the way” were the main reasons.

Of the listed reasons, “Free parking” was the option least often chosen (10%).

Many of those that chose “other” explained that they visited for several reasons.

Those that mentioned “free parking” in this question were slightly more likely to have lived in the area over 20 years than the average participant (31%). However, they did not differ from the average in how often they visited the junction.

Prompted Response to Potential Loss of Parking

When asked directly later in the survey how much they agreed with the statement “I would not come to the Junction without free parking”:

Those who visit over 20 times a month were most likely to disagree (46%). The plurality of all others were unsure.

Additionally, of the 1,219 open-ended responses, 127 people (10%) noted that the current lack of parking availability affects their propensity to visit the junction.

Figure 4: Prompted Response to Potential Loss of Parking, by Number of Monthly Visits

Underlying Attitudes About the Junction

Respondents also shared to what degree they agreed with other attitudes about West Seattle Junction (see Figure 5.) There was overwhelming support for statements that spoke to WSJ’s atmosphere, as opposed to Mall options:

90% agreed that “Malls are too impersonal; I love the feel of the Junction”- 60% agreed strongly.

88% agreed with “The Junction feels like home” – 48% agreed strongly.

Additionally, of the open-ended responses, 217 people (18%) noted how much they value local businesses over national chains. And 117 people (10%) cited the diversity of businesses as one of their main reasons for coming.

However, there are some negative attitudes to keep in mind:

Almost half of respondents (46%) agreed that “The Junction is getting too over built,” but few (8%) strongly

Three-quarters (75%) agreed that, “I come to the Junction only for quick errands,” although only 13% strongly

Conclusion

It is impossible to predict behavior with a survey; respondents cannot accurately predict what they may do if WSJ cuts back on free parking. There are clearly strong feelings about the issue, and the association and businesses will need to prepare for angry reactions if parking is reduced. Many respondents added comments that they currently avoid the area due to lack of parking spaces and that paid spots could make it more accessible.

On the other hand, there is also a great deal of support and warm feelings toward the Junction, including appreciation for the small size and diversity of businesses in the area. Marketing messages for the Junction can also take advantage of the clear convenience and favorable atmosphere.

Appendix

A number of people made recommendations around the parking situation in their open-ended responses. Below are some verbatims that were worth highlighting.

Do it in steps

“If you must go with a parking zone, do it in steps — test period perhaps — to collect feedback, fine tune. I hear a “free zone” around businesses is being considered, that’s smart. Who is causing the issue–those who “live in the Junction” but don’t have parking spots because the city didn’t force developers to provide? Thus, pushing those cars to neighboring areas…I wonder.”

Have a shuttle

“We need a local “shoppers shuttle” that just loops West Seattle available in lieu of the regular Metro routes. It may help with congestion on the 55, 50, 128 and C Line. Shoppers, students and commuters wouldn’t have to struggle, or scuffle for seats during peak travel conditions. It could run from Alki to Westwood, hitting The Alaska and Morgan Junctions in between.”

Monthly permits

“I shop for groceries, hardware, gifts, housewares, art supplies, eat out, get coffee, treats, drop mail, use legal, financial and medical services in the junction – and greater WS area. It’s routine. I usually can find parking in lots or street, although I find myself timing trips sometimes for “non peak” times, if I can.

I like the junction, I make an effort to “shop local” (haven’t been to a “mall’ in years). But, truthfully, the free parking is important and part of the character of the business district. It’s a hassle to feed parking lot pay stations, but if the lots do go to pay stations, maybe a local residence of greater West Seattle could be eligible to by a “Monthly Junction Parking Permit” – for the lots. Monthly use. For a fixed fee. Still keep the lots limited time, whatever it is now. Except maybe longer in evenings. (I actually don’t know the limits because it’s ever been an issue for me). The Monthly permits could be like a Park Pass, a ferry pass, a bus pass. Just an idea.

I would pay for knowing I have the convenience of parking here and there as I go for the number of times I use the junction. (as opposed to the lots turning to only pay stations which I may never use or shift some of my shopping habits away from the junction). So, monthly pass – 8 x $2.5 = $20/mo. maybe.”

Need more handicap spots

“The reasons I don’t frequent the junction anymore are parking is annoying. To difficult for a quick trip when I can just go to Burien and easily park. The other is handicapped accessibility. Parking isn’t easy to find, sidewalks make maneuvering wheelchairs difficult and stores aren’t very accessible either. Not enough room for a wheelchair or scooter. The people who have supported the junction for many years are no longer able to shop there because it can be scary trying to maneuver through when you have disabilities. My mom is no longer comfortable going there even though she has been shopping there most of her life! Even when there wasn’t much to go to.”

Block Parties

“I’ve filled out the survey previously- so did not answer all questions this time. But wanted to add a suggestion that I’ve always hoped would happen at the junction. I grew up in a town where every Thursday night, during warm months, the main street was closed down, restaurants brought tables and chairs outside (similar to summer fest) and did “dining under the stars”. It would be so awesome if we could do this, even once a month, on the same block as the farmers market, during June, July, August, maybe September. So great for that small town feel.”

10-15 minute spots

“We love the junction, love the free parking but we need more of it given we’ve grown so much. It might be useful to have some 10-15 minute shops for takeout pickup. I would love to see more grab and go breakfast places, weekend brunch places and takeout places. I don’t get some of the shops in the junction, they seem a bit dated. I also find it odd with the number of real estate offices we have.”

Word Cloud

This word cloud is based on all open-ended responses. The bigger the word, the more it was mentioned.

Friday, May 17th

5pm to 9pm

In the West Seattle Junction

Tickets $25 advance or $35 includes a 6-bottle insulated wine carrier. Tickets are sold out for the May Wine Walk.

Limited $30 day of event. <– Event sells out!

The West Seattle Wine Walk celebrates wine with this vibrant and fun event. Located in the heart of West Seattle, the Wine Walk provides you with the opportunity to meet the boutique wineries around the Pacific Northwest.

Housed in some of West Seattle’s favorite merchants, you’ll enjoy tastings from 15 different wineries, each showcasing a unique variety of wines.

Bottles of wine and additional individual wine tasting tickets will available to ticket holders. You can drop off bottles of wine at the valet located at Capers. Additional Wine Walk tasting tickets will be available at Capers for $1.00 per ticket. Only ticket-holding attendees can purchase additional tasting tickets.

Do you suffer from anxiety or depression? Both? This class is for you! This topic is near and dear to our hearts, and we are excited to team with Natalie Hammerquist who will share her experiences and knowledge about ten plant allies to help you through the hard times.

For each herb, we’ll learn:
– specific indications for when to use it
– preparations and dosage
– safety
– where to get it
– whether you can harvest or grow it yourself

To be entered to win, drop your passport either the night of Art Walk, or before Saturday, February 16, 3pm, to be eligible for the drawing on Monday, February 18. Winners will be notified by the contact information provided.

What are the prizes?

Our local West Seattle businesses have donated fabulous prizes, currently valued at over $700! We will update this hot sheet as more donations are received — check back often before Valentines Day. Big thanks to our generous donors for their support of the arts!

There’s no place like home for New Years. Home, as in the heart of West Seattle. The Junction has the perfect set up for a nice dinner out on “the town” then followed by door-to-door drink options. Think of it as a New Year’s Eve in downtown (and hometown), with more local choices and all kinds of ways to celebrate the New Year. When you clink glasses in the Junction at midnight you’ll know you’ve got a great NYE on the books.